Politico released additional information this week about the launch of Politico Pro, a paid subscriber service that will provide energy, technology, and healthcare reform news starting in February.
When I spoke to Jim VandeHei, executive editor and cofounder of Politico, for PRWeek's November issue, I asked him if paywalls were part of Politico's future. His response:
I don't think we're going to charge for access to our content online. I do think we'll experiment in the relatively near future with some very specific pay products aimed directly at people who care about particular policy areas.
The new subscriber offering is an interesting move for a news service that established itself in the crowded Washington market by providing free, newsworthy content. (The New York Times noted that Politico Pro will provide Politico with a second revenue stream.)
It will also provide a venue for Politico to compete with other paid subscriber outlets, such as the recently redesigned National Journal and the soon-to-launch Bloomberg Government, on issues relating to governance and policy, and not just politics.